INEC Records 6,154 Shortfalls Of Ad Hoc Staff In Imo, Seeks Alternatives

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will consider sourcing ad hoc staff from neighbouring states for the conduct of the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in Imo State.

This is as the electoral body expressed disappointment with a shortfall of 6,154 ad hoc staff in Imo as it prepares for the forthcoming poll in the state.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Monday at a two-day capacity workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps in Akwanga, Nasarawa state, Naija News understands.

The workshop with the theme “Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections” is sponsored by Development Alternatives Incorporated.

Represented by the National Commissioner, and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, Yakubu said the shortfall was observed at the close of online applications for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi governorship elections.

“Ad hoc staff portal for the November 2023 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states was opened on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 8 a.m. and closed on Monday, October 2, 2023, at midnight.

“The summary of successful applicants shows that Bayelsa and Kogi have a full complement of their requirement for all categories of ad hoc staff, while Imo has a shortfall of 6,154.

“The shortfall will be sourced from the neighbouring state,” the INEC chairman said.

Yakubu, however, did not state the reason for the shortfall.